Best Betta Fish Food in 2024

Before rushing out to buy a bag of flake food at the pet store for your Bettas, it’s wise to consider some essential things.

Firstly, how well do you understand your Betta’s needs? Secondly, what are some of the most nutritious and healthy food choices for them?

Bettas are insectivores, which means that in the wild are likely to eat a lot of bugs, with wild insects and insect larvae among their preferred prey.

Therefore, you must offer your pet Betta a similar, high-in-protein diet. Don’t worry, though. We did the hard work for you. Check out our top five choices for the best Betta fish food.

Betta Diet and Nutrition Advice

Providing proper nutrition is key to keeping your betta vibrant and healthy. The tips below outline what you need to know about betta diet and nutrition. These tips will help ensure your betta receives the balanced nutrition they need to thrive in captivity.

1. Betta Nutrition Basics

Bettas are insectivores, meaning they thrive on a diet high in protein and fat. Their ideal diet should contain around 40-50% protein, 5-10% fat, and fiber from vegetables. It’s important to look for the best betta food with high-quality protein sources like whole fish, shrimp, and black soldier fly larvae.

Bettas also need certain vitamins like Vitamin C and amino acids like lysine. You can also provide the best betta fish food such as frozen brine shrimp and pellets to your lovely aquarium companion to enhance their diet.

2. Avoid These Ingredients  

Fillers like wheat, corn, and soy provide limited nutritional value. Artificial colors and flavors are also unnecessary. Look for foods free of preservatives, hormones, and GMO ingredients.

3. Provide Food Variety

Rotating 2-3 best betta pellets helps provide a balanced diet. For example, you could alternate between a pellet, flake, and freeze-dried or live food. This gives a mix of textures and nutrients.

4. Ideal Feeding Frequency

For adult bettas, aim to feed 2-3 times per day. Feed juveniles 3-4 times daily. Limit feedings to what they can consume in 2-3 minutes per feeding. 

5. Adjust Portion Sizes  

A good general guideline is to feed adult bettas 2-4 pellets or flakes per feeding. For juveniles, start with 1-3 pellets or flakes. Monitor their appetite and body shape, adjusting portions as needed.

6. Avoid Constipation 

If overfeeding leads to constipation or bloating, fast your betta for 2-3 days while monitoring water parameters. Small portions of blanched, skinned peas can also help relieve constipation.

7. Clean Tanks Regularly

To prevent waste buildup if overfeeding, siphon debris from tank bottoms and perform partial water changes more frequently, like 25% twice a week.

8. Signs of Overfeeding

Indicators your betta is getting too much food include lethargy, bloating, constipation, swim bladder issues, fatty lumps, and excess waste polluting the water. 

9. Store Food Properly

Keep betta food in a cool, dry spot and tightly sealed. Pellet and flake foods typically expire 6-12 months after opening. Discard expired foods as nutrients degrade over time.

10. Brand Comparisons

While all featured brands are high-quality, Aqueon pellets are uniquely designed to boost immunity. Fluval Bug Bites stand out for sustainability. Tetra emphasizes enhanced color.

11. Consider Cost Per Ounce

Calculate each product’s cost per ounce or gram to accurately compare value. Pellets tend to provide more ounces per container.

Our Choice for Best Betta Fish Food

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1. Best Overall: Aqueon Pro Foods

Specs

• Manufacturer: Central Garden & Pet
• Food Type: Pellet 
• Quantity: 1.4 Ounce 
• Size: 1mm Pellets 
• Product Specialty: Improves Immune System

The Aqueon Pro Foods Betta Fish Food Formula contains proteins derived from plant and animal sources, which helps boost the health of your Betta.

Moreover, it’s been proven that Bettas prefer eating at the surface, so Aqueon invested in producing one of the best pellets on the market that float.

Many Bettas are deprived of essential nutrition because we erroneously assume that all fish have the same diet.

Aqueon PRO, however, created pellets that will ensure that your Bettas will be fed with just what their tiny bodies need.

The pellets are a unique blend of different-sized algae, vitamins C and E, and other nutrients that provide a more comprehensive immune system support for fish.

Meals made with the Aqueon PRO formulae are of the highest quality and are based on foods that fish eat in their natural habitat. 

The Aqueon Pro Foods Betta Fish Food Formula should be stored in a cool, dry place with a tight-fitting lid to prevent leakage.

In addition, you should not give your Betta fish more food than it can consume in less than two minutes after you first put food in its tank.

Double-check the instructions before pouring the pellets into the tank.

Pros

• It contains Wellplex for additional immune system support 
• Formulated by trusted fish nutritionists
• Floating pellets for easy and reliable surface feeding
• Ingredients based on Betta’s raw and natural diet
• Easy for the Bettas to swallow and digest it

Cons

• Might sink after soaking on the water’s surface 

2. Runner-up: Fluval Bug Bites

Specs

• Manufacturer: Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.
• Food Type: Flakes
• Quantity: 0.63 Ounces
• Size: 1 cm Flakes
• Product Specialty: Increases Energy For Improved Activity 

Fluval Bug Bites is Betta fish food with a unique insect-based formula. Because they are omnivores, most freshwater fish regularly consume insects in their natural habitat.

That’s why the primary focus of Bug Bites Flakes by Fluval is to offer healthy fish food with high-quality protein and carbohydrates. 

A broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and other trace nutrients are also present in these flakes, making them an excellent food source for fish.

The company uses Black Soldier Fly as its primary ingredient for a nutritionally dense food mixture. The added krill and shrimp further enhance the flavor.

Another reason why this Betta food is on our list is the sustainably farmed raw ingredients it includes. The Black Soldier Fly Larvae that the formula needs come from safe fishing and harvesting practices.

To ensure long-term viability and environmental preservation, the BSFL plant is grown in highly regulated areas using a unique growth procedure.

Larvae of Black Soldier Flies can be produced under controlled settings and feed on decomposing organic matter in their natural state. These larvae are fed leftover fruits and vegetables.

In the last stage, they break down food into protein and good fats by digesting their food. After two weeks of eating, the larvae are harvested and dried.

We highly recommend this brand if you are very particular about the food’s quality and its raw materials’ history.

Apart from The Black Soldier Fly Larvae, the manufacturer adds high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals to the mix to provide a complete and nutritious daily meal.

The high-quality protein sources used in Bug Bites include herring, shrimp meal, and BSFL. They’re both rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, an essential component of healthy skin, scales, fin, and color. 

In contrast to the large-scale production used by major fish food brands, Bug Bites are always produced in tiny quantities to ensure greater control and quality assurance.

The company believes in bringing the ingredients right before processing. This way, the end Betta meal is fresher and more flavorful than it would otherwise be. 

Pros

• Contains nutrient-rich black soldier fly larvae 
• The flakes are high in proteins and Omega 3 and 6
• Includes sustainably processed raw ingredients
• Ideal for Bettas of all life stages
• Excellent choice for small-mouthed bettas

Cons

• The flakes tend to sink quite rapidly.
• The flakes can make the tank look cloudy or milky after a few days

3. Best Value For Money: Ultra Fresh – Betta Pro

Specs

• Manufacturer: Ultra Fresh
• Food Type: Patties
• Quantity: 0.71 Ounces
• Size: 1.5mm Granule
• Product Specialty: Keeps Water Cleans And Digests Easily

For our best value for money choice, we picked the Ultra-Fresh – Betta Pro Shrimp Patties, an exceptional pellet food for young and mature bettas.

The formula’s main ingredients include Sword prawns and Akiami paste shrimp to give the food its signature nutrient-rich base.

Moreover, this food also contains other healthy ingredients like organic spinach, fresh squid, garlic, natural spirulina, and seaweed, all with a high concentration of natural calcium.

The granules are 1.5 microns in diameter, allowing Betta fish to digest their food readily.

In addition, this granule contributes to the water’s purity, making it much easier to maintain. An average of 3 million CFUs per gram are found in the probiotics in this diet, which is good for digestion.

It aids in nutrient absorption and excretion, enhances the immune system, and lowers the risk of gastrointestinal diseases.

Pros

• Contains myriad natural proteins from Wild sword and Akiami paste shrimps
• 1.5mm granule, ideal for Bettas of all species and ages
• Added vitamins and minerals.
• Its 3 Million CFU/g allows the food to digest easily without any residuals
• Fresh spinach, spirulina, and seaweed added
• No preservatives

Cons

• Not suitable for picky bettas 

4. Alternative: GloFish Betta Flakes

Specs

• Manufacturer: GloFish
• Food Type: Flakes
• Quantity: 0.71 Ounce
• Size: 1cm Flakes
• Product Specialty: Nutritionally Optimized For Glofish Bettas

GloFish Betta Flakes is a well-researched Betta fish food that exclusively meets the nutritional needs of GloFish luminous fish.

GloFish Bettas are born with stunning neon hues that are not injected or dyed; instead, they inherit their color from their parents.

Because of this, they are a fantastic addition to any aquarium because of the wide range of colors they display. 

Betta Flakes are formulated to supply your GloFish Betta or any other small to medium-sized tropical community fish with a well-balanced dietary profile.

They are packed with shrimp proteins that support healthy growth and development.

GloFish Betta Flakes should be fed to your fish two or three times a day, depending on how active your fish are.

Each feeding should only contain as many flakes as your fish can consume in about a minute.

Ensure not to overfeed your fish; if you do, the waste from the food they don’t eat will contaminate the water in the tank. 

To avoid any water contamination, we highly suggest observing their eating habits and tuning the quantity accordingly.

Eventually, you will have a decent sense of how much food each fish can consume, allowing you to adjust the amount of food accordingly.

Lastly, we want to mention that the manufacturer provides a wide range of solutions for GloFish Betta – from brightly colored aquarium kits and lighting to decorations. Check them out.

Pros

• Flake formula that enables ease of munching
• Contains shrimp for a nutritionally complete food
• Can stay on the surface for quite some time
• Suitable for Glofish bettas

Cons

• Some jars come with packaging errors

5. Alternative: Tetra Betta Small Pellets

Specs

• Manufacturer: Tetra
• Food Type: Pellets
• Quantity: 1.02 Ounce
• Size: 1-2 mm
• Product Specialty: Boosts Color

From a wide range of premium fish food and cutting-edge equipment to test kits and décor, Tetra has everything you need, whether you’re a seasoned Betta lover or just getting started.

That’s why we had to include one of their premium pellets on our list of the best food for your Betta.

The Tetra Betta Small Pellets are an excellent supplement for keeping your fish healthy and looking its best.

Their floating pellets are rich in nutrients and provide top-feeding bettas with a meal that is not only tasty but also fully meets their dietary needs. 

The pellets also contain carotenoids, which give the fish a more vibrant appearance. Its patented ProCare blend improves your Betta’s immune system for healthier and longer lives.

In addition, the Omega-3 fatty acids and protein present in the food will raise your Bettas’ overall energy level and aid growth. As avid fish lovers, we want to promote food rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients.

A fish meal that is micro-milled and high in protein is used as the principal ingredient in Tetra formulas; as a result, they are pure, easy to digest, and include fewer colorants than other fish foods.

You will notice an even lesser trash generation with pure water, devoid of milky or colored waste.

Lastly, ensure that you limit your Betta’s daily food intake to no more than two or three little meals. The company also suggests feeding them using the ‘few minutes rule.’ 

Pros

• Small-sized pellets, ideal for Bettas of all ages and species
• Comes with carotenoids to enhance your Betta’s naturally brilliant colors
• Floating pellets for top-feeding bettas
• Easily digestible with fewer colorants

Cons

• Some pellets are rough around the edges

Betta Fish Food FAQs

Bellow, you will find answers to two of the most common questions regarding feeding Betta fish.

Are Flakes Or Pellets Better For Betta Fish?

Some pet owners prefer pellets over flakes because they dissolve more slowly, and the fish have more time to eat. The pellets begin to dissolve as soon as they are placed in water, releasing nutrients everywhere.

Pellets retain their shape for longer than flakes because they are much thicker, and pellets also retain their nutritional value for a more extended period than flakes. 

Ultimately, both are equally beneficial to your Bettas. Try and test both and see how your Betta will react.

Can You Overfeed A Betta Fish?

It’s quite possible to overfeed your Betta fish. Fish that consume too much food may become bloated, obese, or develop digestive discomfort as a result of their overindulgence.

If your fish don’t eat what you give them, the tank’s water could become dangerously polluted. 

You may help your fish’s digestive system by closely monitoring what they usually eat. Feed and clean the tank once a day and watch for any strange behavior or signs of distress; it won’t be tough.

It’s also a plus to have access to a veterinarian if you need quick assistance. Several Betta owners also recommend fasting as it helps their digestive systems by giving them time to recharge and reboot.

What is the best betta pellet food? 

The best betta pellet food is Omega One Betta Buffet Pellets. It has high-quality ingredients, appropriate nutrition, and properly sized pellets for bettas.

Conclusion

We understand it’s a lot to take in, but it’s our job as betta keepers to ensure they have a balanced diet and live a long and healthy life.

To help you and your Betta, we created this list of the best Betta fish food you can get. We sincerely hope your little fish friends found their favorite new meal among the products we’ve listed.

Whichever brand you choose, there’s only one thing to remember – don’t overfeed them. Stick to a feeding schedule and stick to it! 

So, which brand did you pick? Let us know in the comments.